Wilmington, Delaware
is perfect choice for luxurious girlfriend getaways. Why Wilmington? First, Wilmington, Delaware is accessible. It's located on Interstate-95 midway between
Washington, DC and New York City and just 30 minutes south of Philadelphia
International Airport. Wilmington can be
reached by car, train or plane. Second, once
you arrive, the options are incredible! What's
your hot button? Is it fine
accommodations, great food, chocolates, wines, theatre, art, museums, gardens, beautiful
countryside, a tax-free shopping spree or a combination of all of the
above? Regardless of your answer, you
are sure to enjoy the Greater Wilmington Area and everything it offers
including tax-free shopping, dining and entertainment.

Consider a stay at
the historic Hotel du Pont in the heart of Downtown Wilmington. With its gilded ceilings, hand carved
woodwork and sparkling chandeliers, the Hotel du Pont exudes old world
craftsmanship and hospitality. The Du
Pont Theatre presents five Broadway shows each season and is located right
inside the hotel and the Grand Opera House, with over 100 performances each
year, is within walking distance as is World Cafe Live at the Queen which presents live
musical performances. The Inn at Montchanin
Village is a completely different option and it's equally wonderful. Once a workers' village for the DuPont
gunpowder mills, it now boasts 28 fashionably appointed guest rooms/suites and
a full-service spa. The Inn's unique
ambiance prompted Travel & Leisure
Magazine to name it "the world's best hotel for $250 or less per night." A
blazing fire in the huge stone hearth in the Common Hall provides the perfect
backdrop for cozy heart-to-heart chats. The
newly opened Sheraton Wilmington South is another excellent choice for a
getaway. This 24 million dollar property
is located at 365 Airport Road in New Castle, DE immediately off I-95. The hotel features 192 spacious guestrooms,
primarily suites with separate living and sleeping quarters, a dramatic six
tier atrium, restaurant, exercise room, pool and Jacuzzi. It's just minutes from Historic New Castle
which is second only to Colonial Williamsburg in the number and authenticity of
its historic properties, but unlike Williamsburg, is a vibrant, fully-occupied
community. The Sheraton Hotel is also
very close to the Christiana Mall where you can take advantage of Delaware's
tax free shopping in stores like Nordstrom and Ross-Simons.

It's hard to imagine
why you would choose to leave these properties, but there's certainly plenty to
do and see in the Greater Wilmington Area.
Steep yourself in history in our world-class museums, mansions and
gardens. Hagley Museum & Library is the
ancestral home of the du Pont family in Delaware. In 1802, E.I. du Pont de Nemours settled here
along the banks of the Brandywine River and began harnessing its power to
produce gunpowder, thus laying the foundation for the DuPont company's
dynasty. Take a tram ride through the
beautiful estate and tour the mansion which housed five generations of the du
Pont family. Nemours Mansion &
Gardens, built for Alfred I. du Pont, founder of the renowned Children's
Hospital, has been returned to its turn-of-the century magnificence after
undergoing a 39 million dollar makeover by a highly skilled team of architects,
engineers and craftsmen. Modeled after
a Louis XVI French-style chateau, the 70+ room mansion is furnished with antiques,
tapestries, chandeliers and artwork, some of which date back to the 15th
century. Outside, it is surrounded by
incredible sculptures and colonnades and what are arguably the finest examples
of formal French gardens. The mansion
and gardens are open from May through December for guided tours; reservations
are a must. Visit nearby Winterthur Museum
& Country Estate, the former home of Henry Francis du Pont. The world's preeminent collection of American
antiques and collectibles is on display inside the mansion. Then surround yourself with beauty at
Longwood Gardens, located just minutes from Winterthur. Longwood is Pierre S. du Pont's 1,050-acre
horticultural extravaganza with four acres of gardens under glass in its
Conservatory.

If personal
indulgence is your preference, experience a bit of heaven on earth at Cielo
Salon and Spa where you will be treated to the ultimate in beauty and
relaxation. Pamper yourself with a
manicure, pedicure,facial and Cielo's signature massage. Then let Cielo's hair and make-up artists
give you a new look while they serve you a delicious lunch.

Relax in the friendly
atmosphere at Va La Vineyards. Owned and
operated by the Vietri family who have
been making wine for three generations of the Vietri family, Va La specializes
in producing superbly blended varietal wines.
Incredibly, the winery has never advertised its products but has always
sold out every batch. Sample fine
one-of-a-kind wines paired with cheeses and breads from local artisans or
chocolates that melt in your mouth while listening to live music.

The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-profit
organization founded in 1978, chartered by the Governor of Delaware, the New
Castle County Executive and the Mayor of Wilmington. Its mission is to serve as
the community's customer-focused destination marketing organization, generating
economic growth through leisure travel and meetings development by aggressively
marketing attractions, facilities, amenities and services for visitors.